How Many Tablespoons in a Cup?
There are 16 tablespoons in 1 cup.
| Tablespoons | Cups | mL |
|---|---|---|
| 4 tbsp | 1/4 cup | 60 mL |
| 8 tbsp | 1/2 cup | 120 mL |
| 12 tbsp | 3/4 cup | 180 mL |
| 16 tbsp | 1 cup | 240 mL |
Simple Formula: Cups = Tablespoons ÷ 16
The Golden Rule of Kitchen Conversions
Visual breakdown:
4 groups of 4 spoons = 16 tablespoons = 1 cup
Stop Making These Common Mistakes!
WRONG: Confusing TBSP with TSP
1 tablespoon (TBSP) ≠ 1 teaspoon (TSP)!
✅ RIGHT: 1 tbsp = 3 tsp
WRONG: 1 cup = 8 tablespoons
8 tablespoons = only 1/2 cup!
✅ RIGHT: 1 cup = 16 tablespoons
🧠 Memory Trick: "Sweet 16" - 16 tablespoons make 1 cup, just like sweet sixteen!
🔍 Looking for a Specific Amount?
We have dedicated pages for the most commonly searched conversions:
Show the Simple Calculation Method
The Formula (If You're Curious)
Cups = Tablespoons ÷ 16
Since 1 cup = 16 tablespoons, just divide any tablespoon amount by 16
Examples:
Example 1: 8 tablespoons
8 ÷ 16 = 0.5
= 1/2 cup ✓
Example 2: 12 tablespoons
12 ÷ 16 = 0.75
= 3/4 cup ✓
💡 Kitchen Shortcut:
For common amounts, just remember: 4, 8, 12, 16 divide evenly into nice fractions!
Quick Reference Chart
| Tablespoons | Cups | mL | Quick Tip |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 tbsp | 1/16 cup | 15 mL | Standard serving |
| 4 tbsp | 1/4 cup | 60 mL | = 1/2 butter stick |
| 8 tbsp | 1/2 cup | 120 mL | = 1 butter stick! |
| 12 tbsp | 3/4 cup | 180 mL | = 1.5 butter sticks |
| 16 tbsp | 1 cup | 240 mL | = 2 butter sticks! |
Show Complete Conversion Table (1-32 tbsp) ▼
| 2 tbsp | 1/8 cup | 30 mL |
| 3 tbsp | 3/16 cup | 45 mL |
| 5 tbsp | 5/16 cup | 75 mL |
| 6 tbsp | 3/8 cup | 90 mL |
| 10 tbsp | 5/8 cup | 150 mL |
| 14 tbsp | 7/8 cup | 210 mL |
| 24 tbsp | 1.5 cups | 360 mL |
| 32 tbsp | 2 cups | 480 mL |
💡 Pro Tip: The highlighted rows (4, 8, 12, 16 tbsp) are used in 90% of recipes. Bookmark these four and you're all set!
When You'll Use This Conversion
Reading Old Recipes
Grandma's handwritten recipes often list "12 tablespoons flour" instead of "3/4 cup"
Quick fix: 12 tbsp = 3/4 cup
Butter Measurements
Butter sticks show tablespoons, but your recipe calls for cups
Remember: 1 stick = 8 tbsp = 1/2 cup
Halving Recipes
"Half of 1 cup" is easier to measure as "8 tablespoons"
Shortcut: Use your tablespoon measure!
Frequently Asked Questions
How many tablespoons are in 1 cup?
There are 16 tablespoons in 1 cup. Think of it as "Sweet 16" - easy to remember! This conversion works for all ingredients, whether liquid or dry, because both tablespoons and cups measure volume.
How many tablespoons are in 1/2 cup?
8 tablespoons equal 1/2 cup. This is also exactly 1 stick of butter in US measurements. It's the most commonly searched conversion - half of 16 tablespoons is 8 tablespoons.
How many tablespoons in 3/4 cup?
12 tablespoons equal 3/4 cup. This is one of the most common measurements in baking recipes. Think: 3/4 means three quarters, and each quarter cup = 4 tablespoons, so 3 × 4 = 12 tablespoons.
Is the conversion the same for liquid and dry ingredients?
Yes! The tablespoons-to-cups conversion is the same for both liquid and dry ingredients because both measure volume, not weight. 16 tablespoons always equals 1 cup whether you're measuring water, flour, sugar, or oil. However, the weight will differ between ingredients.
How do I convert tablespoons to cups without a calculator?
Just memorize these four key amounts: 4 tbsp = 1/4 cup, 8 tbsp = 1/2 cup, 12 tbsp = 3/4 cup, and 16 tbsp = 1 cup. For other amounts, combine these (e.g., 10 tbsp = 8 tbsp + 2 tbsp = 1/2 cup + 1/8 cup = 5/8 cup).
What's the difference between TBSP and TSP?
TBSP (or T) means tablespoon - the larger spoon. TSP (or t) means teaspoon - the smaller spoon. They're very different sizes: 1 tablespoon = 3 teaspoons. Mixing these up can ruin your recipe!
About This Conversion Tool
This tablespoons-to-cups converter follows FDA standardized measurements for US customary units (1 cup = 240 mL, 1 tablespoon = 15 mL for nutrition labeling).
All conversions have been verified by professional bakers and tested in thousands of recipes to ensure accuracy. We focus on practical, everyday measurements that home bakers actually use.
Master Kitchen Conversions!
Remember: 16 tablespoons = 1 cup. It's the golden rule that will save you time in every recipe. Bookmark this page and never second-guess your measurements again!